911 calls reveal report of suicidal inmate on day Ron Hewett died in jail

Calls made from the New Hanover County Detention Facility to 911 on the day former Brunswick County Sheriff Ron Hewett died show reports of a suicidal inmate.

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WECT) -

Calls made from the New Hanover County Detention Facility to 911 on the day former Brunswick County Sheriff Ron Hewett died show officials were initially treating the situation as a suicidal inmate.

Records show New Hanover County Emergency Dispatchers received the first call about a suicidal inmate at 2:57 Saturday afternoon, and EMS was dispatched less than a minute later.

WECT requested all 911 calls and radio traffic related to Hewett's death. None of the records or audio specifically refer to Hewett by name. Records show that a call for the coroner to notify them of a death was made at 3:32 p.m.

Hewett had a 2 p.m. visit scheduled at the jail and when he came out for it he was involved in an altercation, according to New Hanover County Sheriff Ed McMahon. Sources indicate Hewett was subdued with a Taser.

New Hanover County Sheriff's Officials said they can't say if Hewett died before or after the 911 call was made because it is part of an ongoing investigation.

Here is the transcription of the phone calls and radio traffic released by Debora Cottle, 911 Manager in New Hanover County.

911 Call

Dispatch: "New Hanover County 9-1-1. What is the address of your emergency?"

Caller: "This is the New Hanover County Detention Facility. We need EMS 10-18 for an inmate."

Dispatch: "I'm sorry. For what?

Caller: "We need EMS 10-18 for an inmate."

Dispatch: Okay, what is the medical complaint?"

Caller: "Uh, I think it's a suicide attempt."

Caller (apparently to someone else): "10-4 Sir, I am on the phone with 9-1-1 right now."

Dispatch: "Alright. Are you actually with the patient?"

Caller: "No ma'am. I am in central control."

Dispatch: "Okay, do you have any idea how old they are?"

Caller: "I believe he is in his 40s."

Dispatch: "Okay."

Caller: "He is a white male."

Dispatch: "Okay, awake and breathing?"

Caller: "I have no idea."

Dispatch: "Okay. Okay, does he have any weapons or anything like that?"

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